An apparatus for fiberization



June 4, 'w. TILLOTSON 2,839,782

APPARATUS FOR FIBERIZATION Filed March 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WESLEY T. TILLOTSON ATTORNEYS June 24, 1958 w. T. TILLOTSON 2,839,782

APPARATUS FOR FIBERIZATION Filed March so, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WESLEY T. TILLOTSON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 12,839,782 7 N APPARATUS FOR EIBERIZATION Wesley T. Tillotson, Wilmette, Ill.,-.assignor to American Rck W0ol Corp., -Wabash, Ind., a corporation 'of Indiana Application March 30, 1955, Serial'N0.'498,010

- ,Clalms. (Cl. 182;6)

The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for fiberizing molten blast furnace slag, wool rock, .vitreous material or other 'fiber forming material capableofproducing mineral wool fibers of the type suitablev for thermal insulation.

The present novel embodiment of ,a fiberization unit comprehends the combination of a distributor in .the form of a hollow cup-shaped rotorv or wheel adapted to receive the-molten fiber-forming material on its inner surface and being so contoured that as it is rapidly rotated, this material is centrifugally ejected therefrom onto the inner surface of a cup-shaped spinning wheel or rotor of substantially, greater. 'diameterthan thedist'ributing-rotor whereby the material centrifugally ejected over the discharged edge of the distributing rotoris violently projected against ,andimpinged uponthe inner surface of the spinning wheel or rotor rotating at -a substantially greater peripheral speed than the peripheralspeed of the distributing rotor, whereby the .collected material on the spinning wheel or rotor is centrifugally discharged therefrom in the form of 'fibers. I

'These rapidly rotating rotors or hollow wheels .areso designed and arranged that the material, interceptedand collected on the smaller distributing rotor is.centrifugally discharged therefrom 'overits peripheral discharge edge with its surfacetension broken and its dispersed mass 2,839,782 Patented June 24, 195 8 fiber-formingmaterial including'a distributing rotor for initially receiving the molten material to be fiberized and a hollow spinning rotor so disposed relative to the distributingrotor as .to receive on its inner surface. the material or particles ofjfiber-forming. material centrifu: gally discharged from'the distributing rotor, the spinniug rotor being rotated .at'a substantially greater peripheral speed than thefdistributingrotor whereby the material intercepted on the inner surface of the spinning rotor and ejected therefrom .by centrifugal force is fiberized.

Theqpresent invention further comprehends the provision of a novel means for fiberizing molten fiberfo'rrning material without the use of steam or other gaseous medium'for disintegrating the molten material, and capableof etfectivelyand commercially producing mineral wool fibers of .fine silky texture and of substantial length.

' The invention further. resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts'illustrated-in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is .to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, ,features and constructions without departing'from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is .a view, part in vertical cross section, through one form of the novelfiberizing unit and-showing in side or end elevation thefdrive means for rapidly rotating the unit, the section being taken on'approximately the line 1- .1.of' F ig. 2 and viewed .in the direction of the arrows.

' distributed as rapidly moving particles or streams of 5 fiber-forming material that are violently thrownoutwardly in a substantially vertical plane andimpinged against the inner surface of the larger rapidly rotating spinning wheel or rotor fromwhich the intercepted .and

collected material is centrifugally ejectediasmineral wool fibers.

'A'further important object of thepresentinvention is the provision of a novel combination of an inner and an outer cup-shaped rotor so constructedand arranged that-themolten slag or fiber-forming material is fed onto 1 the [interior of the inner or smaller :distributing rotor from which is forcibly ejecteda uniformdischarge of molten slag onto the inner face'ofthe outer or:larger cupped rotor by which this ,slag is;fiberiz ed..

Another object of the present inventionis theprovisionof a novel fiberizing mechanism-includinga pair of concentrically arranged hollowrotors, the-inner 'or smaller of which intercepts or receives on its inner-surface thefiow of molten slag or fiberforming-material issuing from the cupolaand this .rotor discharges this molten material or slag over its outerperipheral edge, the discharged portions or particles of this molten material being violently projected by this inner or;smaller rotor and impinged against. and collected upon .the inner surface of the outer concentric spinning rotor operat- 1 ing at a peripheral speed .sufliciently greater than that of the inner distributing rotor whereby to'fiberize the collected material. f i

A further object of ,thepresent invention isthepro- .vision of a fiberizing unit for thefiberization .of molten Fig. 2 .is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the novel fiberizing unit;

Fig. 3 is a view similar toFig. lbut of an alternate form of fiberizing unit, the section being .takenon .approximately the line 3-"-3 ofFig. 4 and viewed in the directioniof the arrows.

Fig. '4 is a fragmentary view'in front elevation of the unit of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view, part in vertical crosssectionand partin side elevation, of ,another 'form of fiberizing unit.

Fig. 6is a view in rear elevation .of the spinning rotor orwheel, theview being taken on the line 66.of Fig. 5 andviewed in the direction .of. the arrows.

Fig. 7 isv a view in front elevation .of the distributing rotor, the view being taken on the .line 77 of Fig. 5 and viewed .in the vdirectionof the arrows.

Referring to the disclosure in the drawings .andzmore particularly to the selected embodiment of Figs. '1 and 2, there is disclosed ,a.mo,unting plate or frame 10 in which is mounted 'for rapid rotation afiberizing unit including concentrically arranged-an inner cup or distributing rotor 11 and an outer cup or spinning rotor or wheel 12 joined together and rotatable as a single unit. Roller or ,o'thersuitable .bearings 13 aredisposed betweenthe stationary .orlfixed mounting plate er -frame 10 and the hub 14 ofthe innercup ordistributing rotor 11 which is secured to and driven by a pulley wheel:15 driven by any suitable drive such as the disclosed V-belts 16 anda pulley wheel 17 keyed or pinned toa driveshaft 18 driven from any suitablemotor or power source (not shown).

;Both the inner .or distributing rotorll and the-substantially largerouter or spinningrotor 12 are concentrically arranged andtboth are preferably formed hollow to provide a connecting-space:19 adapted to'receivecirculating water or other coolant which'may b'e introduced into and removed'therefrom'in any well known manner. {lhe mOIten .slagzor :otherzfibenformingmaterial issuing from a cupola (not shown) is directed by a slag trough or guide spout 20 onto the inner surface 21 of the rapidly rotating hollow cup distributor or rotor 11 adjacent to but inwardly of its peripheral discharge edge 22, the in: ner surface 21 being so contoured asto cause the flow of intercepted molten slag or other fiber-forming material to be distributed over its annular surface as a thin sheet or film and then discharged over 'its conical face' from which it is centrifugally ejected from the circumference of the annular discharge edge 22 in the form of multiple particles or streams of-the molten material directed in an annular pattern andoutwardly in a substantially vertical plane or perpendicular to the aXis of rotation.

As the rotors 11 and 12 are rotated at high speed, the surface tension of the material forcibly ejected from the discharge edge 22 of'the rotor 11 is broken when the discharged particles, streams or whatever conformation this discharged material may take, are forcibly projected and impinged against and collected on the inner, substantially conical surface 23 of the rotor 12. Like the contour of the substantially conical innei surface 21 of the rotor 11, the conical inner surface 23 directs the collected material outwardly toward and over its peripheral edge 24 where this collected material is centrifugally discharged in an annular pattern as relatively long and fine fibers of mineral wool. The peripheral speed of the spinning surface of the rotor 12 being substantially greater than the peripheral speed of the distributing surface 21 of the rotor 11 by reason of its substantially larger diameter, the molten material collected on'the' inner surface 23 is fiberized and projected over the annular or peripheral edge 24 as a multiplicity of mineral wool fibers.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is shown another embodiment of the present invention in which the outer cup or spinning rotor 25 is .separate from the inner cup or distributing rotor 11", the latter being journalled for rapid rotation in the mounting plate or frame and driven by means of a pulley wheel 15 secured or afiixed to the distributing rotor 11 and driven by the V-belts 16 from a pulley wheel 17 and drive shaft 18, in a manner similar to the distributing rotor 11 of Figs. 1 and 2.

The separate outer cup or spinning rotor of Figs. .3 and 4 is driven by means of anannular track 26 afiixed to and encompassing the circumference of the spinning rotor and driven by means of a plurality of suitably spaced driven trunnion wheels 27 each pinned or keyed to a driven shaft 28 with these driven shafts suitably journalled in the frame or mounting plate 10 These driven shafts are driven by means of pulley wheels 29 each pinned or keyed to its respective shaft 28, and belts 31 from a drive shaft 32 of a motor or other suitable power source (not shown). The hub 14' of the distributing rotor or inner cup member 11 is preferably made axially adjustable to locate its peripheral edge 22 for the impingement of the discharged material at the desired location on the inner surface of the outer cup or spinning rotor 25. n

Encompassing or planetary gears may be provided for driving the larger cup or spinning rotor 25 with its speed increased over that of the smaller cup 'or distributing rotor 11 through the gear differential in the'mounting.

Each of the rotors 11 and 25 is preferably hollow with its respective hollow spaces 33 and 34 coupled in any suitable manner to a circulating cooling system containing water or other coolant.

The molten slag or fiber-forming material from a cupola or the like is discharged onto the slag trough or guide spout 20 which directs this material onto the inner surface 21 which may be contoured in a manner'similar to the distributing rotor 11; As in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, molten material collecting as a relatively thin film or layer on this inner surface is centrifugally ejected over the peripheral discharge edge 22*- and the discharged particles, streams orother forms of discharge are forcibly impinged against and collect on the inner,

- 4 substantially conical surface 35 of the outer, concentrically arranged cup member or spinning rotor 25. This outer cup member or spinning rotor 25 operating at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the peripheral speed of the inner cup or distributing rotor 11', by reason of its substantially larger diameter centrifugally ejects its collected material over the peripheral discharge edge 36 thereof in the form of fibers.

Unlike the embodiment of Figs. 1 and'Z where the inner cup or distributing rotor 11 and the outer cup or spin ning rotor 12 are joined together or integrally united and driven from a single power source, in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4 the inner cup or distributing rotor 11 and the outer, concentric cup or spinning rotor 25 may be driven separately from asuitable power source, but with the outer or larger cup or spinning rotor operating at a substantially greater peripheral speed than the inner cup or distributing rotor. by reason ofits substantially larger diameter. i i

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is disclosed another-embodiment of thepresent invention in'which the inner cup member or distributing rotor 11 is preferably formed in a manner similar-to that of Figs. 3 and 4 and driven by its drive or power shaft '18 in a similar manner. However, the outer cupped rotor or spinning wheel 37 is mounted upon and driven by the driven shaft 38 of a separate motor or power source 39'mounted and supported in elevated position upon a hollow pedestal 41 and base 42 and enclosed within a suitable housing 43.

The drive shaft 38 projects through and is adjustably connected to the hub 44 of the spinning rotoror wheel 37 for driving its inner spinning surface 45 at a substantially higher peripheral speed than the distributing surface of the inner cup member or distributing rotor 11*.

The walls of each of the cupped members, including the distributing rotor 11 and the spinning rotor or wheel 37, are preferably'forme'd hollow with the respective spaces 46 and 47 adapted toreceive water or other coolant, the coolant to thespace 47 being supplied and exhausted throughthe hollow pedestal 41 and base 42 which also contain the wires for carrying the current supply to the motor. This pedestal provides the only obstruction in the path of the formed fibers'drawn or blown into the wool room or collecting chamber about the housing 43. In this form of the invention, the water-cooledcup or spinning wheel 37 faces the delivery or distributing cone or rotor 11 and the speed difierential is effected through the direct drive motor 39. The cup or spinning wheel 37 acts as a shield for the water-cooled motor employed for the direct drive. i

In the operation of this latter embodiment, the molten slag or fiber-forming material from the cupola or source of supply is discharged onto the slag trough or guide spout 20 and from the latter directed onto the inner annular surface 21 of the inner cup or distributing rotor 11*. As this distributing rotor is rapidly'rotated, particles, streams or whatever form this discharged fiber-forming material may take as it is centrifugally ejected over the peripheral edge 22 in a substantially vertical plane or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor 11*, are forcibly projected onto the inner spinning surface 45 of the outer and concentrically arranged cupped wheel or spinning rotor 37, and from there discharged outwardly by centrifugal force over the peripheral edge 48 in an annular pattern and in the form of multiple fibers of mineral wool. I p I p The outer cupped member or spinning rotor 37 is preferably adjustably mounted on itsfshaft 38 so that it maybe moved axially toward or away from the inner cupped member or distributing rotor 11 and whereby the latter delivers its molten fiber-forming material to any desired 'location 'on' the contoured 'face 'or inner spinning surface 45 .of the spinning rotor. 37.

Excellent results may be obtained by constructing the outer cup or spinning wheels 12 (Figs. 1 and 2), 2'5

(Figs. 3 and 4) and 37 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) of approximately 20 inches in diameter and operating it at a speed of approximately 3600 R. P. M. which gives satisfactory rim or peripheral speeds for fiberizing an output of a relatively large cupola. Where the fibers are to be subsequently treated, an applicator for applying a suitable binder and/ or other treating substance may be disposed in the path of the formed fibers.

Each of these fiberizing units is mounted in a Wool room or collecting chamber with the fibers being preferably drawn from the unit and collected as a mat upon a conveyor or other collecting means. The concentrically arranged members or rotors may be rotated in the same or in opposite directions.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A fiberization unit for fiberizing molten fiber-forming material comprising a hollow distributing rotor for receiving the molten fiber-forming material on its inner surface, an encompassing hollow spinning rotor for receiving on its inner surface the molten fiber-forming material centrifugally ejected by the distributing rotor, said distributing rotor and said spinning rotor being joined together and rotatable as a unit and means for rapidly rotating said distributing rotor and said spinning rotor about a substantially horizontal axis with the distributing rotor forcibly impinging the material collected thereon onto the inner surface of the spinning rotor, the peripheral speed of said spinning rotor being substantially greater than that of the distributing rotor for fiberizing the molten fiber-forming material collected on the inner surface of the spinning rotor.

2. Means for fiberizing molten fiber-forming material comprising a rotatable cupped member for receiving and collecting on its inner face the molten fiber-forming material and for ejecting therefrom over its peripheral edge the collected material by centrifugal force, a rotatable cupped mmeber of substantially greater diameter than and encompassing the peripheral edge of said first member for receiving on its inner face the ejected material, and means for rapidly rotating said cupped mem I bers in the same direction and about a substantially horizontal axis whereby the first member initially receives the molten material and ejects and forcibly impinges and distributes this material onto and about the inner face of the second member operating at a substantially greater peripheral speed than the first member whereby the material discharged from the peripheral edge of the second member by centrifugal force is fiberized.

3. Means for forming mineral wool fibers from molten slag and other fiber-forming material, comprising a hollow distributing rotor having an inner, substantially conical surface receiving the molten material, means for rapidly rotating said distributing rotor about a substantially horizontal axis whereby the material collected on its inner surface is discharged over its peripheral edge in an annular pattern by centrifugal force, a hollow spinning member encompassing the distributing rotor and hav- .ing a substantially conical inner surface for intercepting I direction and at a peripheral speed substantially greater than the speed of the distributing rotor to cause fiberization of said material impinged against and collected in the spinning member as it is discharged therefrom.

4. A unit for fiberizing molten slag or other fiberforming material comprising a pair of concentricallyarranged cupped members each provided with an inner substantially conical surface and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rapidly rotating said members in the same direction with the peripheral speed of the outer concentric member being substantially greater than that of the inner member, means for supplying the molten fiber-forming material initially to the inner conical surface of the inner concentric member whereby as said inner concentric member is rapidly rotated the molten fiber-forming material collected on its inner surface is ejected therefrom by centrifugal force in a substantially vertical plane and forcibly impinged against and collected on the inner conical surface of the encompassing outer concentric member from which it is discharged by centrifugal force as mineral wool fibers.

5. A unit for fiberizing molten slag or other fiber-forming material comprising a pair of concentrically-arranged rotatable members joined together for rotation as a unit with each provided with an inner substantially conical surface, means for rapidly rotating said members about a substantially horizontal axis with the outer member encompassing the peripheral edge ofthe inner member and with the peripheral speed of the outer concentric member being substantially greater than that of the inner member, means for supplying the'molten fiber-forming material initially to the inner conical surface of the inner concentric member whereby as said last mentioned member is rapidly rotated the molten fiber-forming material collected thereon is forcibly ejected therefrom by centrifugal force over its peripheral edge in a plane substantially normal to its axis of rotation and forcibly impinged against and distributed on the inner conical surface of the outer concentric member from which it is discharged by centrifugal force over the peripheral edge of this outer concentric member and spun into fibers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,915,201 Ragg June 20, 1933 2,156,982 Harford et al May 2, 1939 2,294,588 Von Pazsiczky Sept. 1, 1942 2,439,772 Gow Apr. 13, 1948 2,724,859 Richardson Nov. 29, 1955 I FOREIGN PATENTS 511,120 Canada Feb. 12, 1953 

